Emergency alert sent in Welsh then English causes debate

Politicians have questioned why an emergency alert was sent to phones in Welsh before it arrived in English.

Reform's Laura Anne Jones said the UK government message on "action to protect communities from the growing threat posed by wildfires" arrived on mobiles in English 10 minutes after an equivalent in the Welsh language.

Tory Andrew RT Davies posted that important announcements should be in English first, but former rugby referee Nigel Owens said Welsh should be used just like in every country proud to use their native language.

The UK government did not comment directly, but said under the Welsh Language Act, it has to send alerts in Welsh first and sends alerts bilingually where possible.

Fire crews had been tackling blazes across Wales and England which prompted the UK government to issue the nationwide wildfire alert.

In a post shared to social media, Jones said: "These alerts are welcome, when necessary, but Welsh first? And then 10mins later the English version? Really? When there is a severe national alert!?

"No offence, but most people in Wales will be severely injured by the time they have google translated the alert!"

Jones, Reform UK Senedd member for south Wales east, called for future alerts to be made bilingual and to be sent in one message.

Conservative Senedd member for Pen-y-bont Bro Morgannwg, Andrew RT Davies, also called for changes to future emergency alerts sent to people living in Wales.

He said: "The law must be changed to ensure emergency alerts and other important announcements are always made in English first.

"Over 80% of people in Wales don't speak Welsh. Common sense must prevail."

Former international rugby union referee Nigel Owens also joined the online debate and said the messages in each language were no more than 10 seconds apart.

He said the emergency alerts were sent "just how it should be as it is in every other country who are proud and using their native language".

A major incident was declared near Llandovery, Carmarthenshire, after dozens of homes were evacuated and roads closed, while residents near a blaze in south Wales said they were "frightened".

Military personnel and an Army helicopter have also been supporting firefighters in Cwmavon, a village in the Afan valley.

Meanwhile, police investigating a "deliberate fire" on the mountain near Pleasant Heights, Porth, said on Friday they had arrested four 14-year-old boys from Porth on suspicion of arson. They are on police bail.

A fire was also seen above Cwm, Ebbw Vale, on Friday evening.